Market Newsdesk

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  Leading Mongolian autom
  
  
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  Bodiz International
  
  
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LONDON, July 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — VivoPower International PLC (NASDAQ: VVPR, the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the Company has signed a definitive agreement with Bodiz International Group LLC (“Bodiz” or the “Distributor”) for Bodiz to distribute electric light vehicles (“e-LVs”) in Mongolia using e-LV conversion kits from VivoPower’s wholly-owned subsidiary Tembo e-LV B.V. (“Tembo”).

Under the agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”), Bodiz intends to purchase 350 Tembo e-LV conversion kits through December 2026. The Company estimates these orders to be worth up to US$29 million in potential revenue over the life of the Distribution Agreement. Bodiz will be responsible for acquiring original vehicles from Toyota, converting the vehicles to ruggedized e-LVs using the Tembo solutions, selling the units to end-customers and providing ongoing servicing and maintenance.

The Tembo kits transform diesel-powered Toyota Land Cruiser and Hilux vehicles into ruggedized e-LVs for use in mining and other hard-to-decarbonize sectors, including construction and defense. Alongside solar generation, battery storage and on-site power distribution, Tembo e-LV products are a key component of VivoPower’s turnkey net-zero solutions for corporate decarbonization.

This Distribution Agreement marks VivoPower’s fourth major distribution deal in 2021 for Tembo e-LVs across four continents and continues to advance the Company’s aim to build a global Tembo distribution network before the end of this year. The Company previously completed distribution deals with GB Auto Group in Australia and Acces Industriel Mining Inc. in Canada and has also announced a non-binding Heads of Terms with Arctic Trucks Limited for distribution of Tembo e-LVs in Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland. The latter deal is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

Based in Ulaanbaatar, Bodiz has been distributing ruggedized SUVs and other heavy duty vehicles to the Mongolian market since its founding in 1997. In addition to Tembo vehicle distribution, the Distribution Agreement includes plans for Bodiz to send technicians to Tembo’s Netherlands headquarters to be trained in e-LV conversion, as well as a potential expansion of Bodiz’s facilities to service Tembo electric vehicles.

Kevin Chin, Executive Chairman and CEO of VivoPower, said
: “We are pleased to continue expanding our global distribution network for Tembo e-LVs through this partnership with Bodiz. With the signing of this Distribution Agreement, Tembo e-LVs will be available to mining and other heavy industrial customers aiming to decarbonize their fleet operations through distribution partners on four continents. We look forward to building this relationship and working with Bodiz to support more customers on the drive to net zero.”

Dulguun
Baatarsukh
, CEO of Bodiz, said: “Bodiz is very glad to become a member of the Tembo e-LV family. Mongolia’s economy, especially the mining sector, is growing rapidly with one of the world’s richest mineral resources. It is an honor to sign this Distribution Agreement with VivoPower for Bodiz to introduce Tembo e-LVs to our domestic market and take part in the global change of electrification. I hope we will continue to strengthen this partnership and cooperation in the long run and make a significant contribution to the mining sector in our region.”

About VivoPower

VivoPower is a sustainable energy solutions company focused on battery storage, electric solutions for customized and ruggedized fleet applications, solar and critical power technology and services. The Company’s core purpose is to provide its customers with turnkey decarbonization solutions that enable them to move toward net zero carbon status. VivoPower is a certified B Corporation with operations in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.

About Bodiz

Bodiz is a leading distributor of all types of vehicles, specially equipped cars and auto parts in the Mongolian market. Since 1997, Bodiz has supplied the best products to its consumers from many countries around the world. Bodiz delivers products based on its customers’ requirements, with a focus on high quality and advanced technology.

All trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.

Distribution Agreements

This Distribution Agreement provides a framework under which VivoPower can consummate sales contracts for e-LV conversion kits to be installed in vehicles to be sold to customers. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor will serve as VivoPower’s exclusive distributor in marketing, promoting and selling electric vehicles in Mongolia, and will also assemble and install e-LV conversion kits provided by VivoPower in vehicles that the Distributor procures from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (“OEM”). The Distribution Agreement contains a provision to the effect that the parties shall not have a relationship of agency, joint venture or partnership.

The Distribution Agreement includes a commitment by the Distributor to purchase a minimum of 350 Tembo e-LV conversion kits (for Toyota 4×4 vehicles) in the first five years of the agreement. This is based on the Distributor’s management estimates of future contracted purchases from its customer base. These commitments are expected to be fulfilled upon the Distributor generating these purchase orders of e-LVs from its end-customers. The Distributor will not be required to remit payment for its orders of e-LV conversion kits until end-customers enter into purchase orders for e-LVs or the Distributor purchases conversion kits prospectively ahead of end-customer orders. In the event that the Distributor fails to satisfy the minimum purchase commitment, the Distribution Agreement will undergo a review process. If no acceptable resolution is reached, VivoPower is entitled to withhold exclusivity for the Distributor in Mongolia.

VivoPower believes that the potential e-LV conversion kits that it expects could be sold under the Distribution Agreement could be worth approximately $29 million in revenues. That estimate does not represent a firm commitment for purchase orders, and actual results may differ materially. VivoPower does not as a matter of course make public projections as to future sales, earnings or other results. VivoPower’s management prepared such an estimate based on its good faith judgment using what it believed to be reasonable assumptions regarding the future sales of e-LVs to end-customers in Mongolia. As future e-LV sales remain contingent on successful negotiation of end-customer sales contracts, and as the quantity, pricing and timing of each sales contract will be different, this estimation is not a formal projection of future revenue, but an indication of the expected value of such contracts to VivoPower. The estimated potential revenues ascribed to the Distribution Agreement do not represent measures of income or profitability, and do not take into consideration the costs that would be incurred in the course of realizing the estimated values. The foregoing estimate is subjective in many respects and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from these estimates. Therefore, as with any projections or forecasts, investors are cautioned not to attribute undue certainty to estimates of sales under the Company’s Distribution Agreements.

Further terms governing other aspects of the Distribution Agreement with the Distributor are in the process of being finalized and are contingent upon the outcome of commercial negotiations with OEM counterparties.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication includes certain statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the United States federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may include, for example, statements about the potential benefits of the collaboration with Bodiz, the number of vehicle conversion kits expected to be purchased and the expected revenues from such collaboration. These statements are based on VivoPower’s management’s current expectations or beliefs and are subject to risk, uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of VivoPower’s business. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include changes in business conditions, fluctuations in customer demand, changes in accounting interpretations, management of rapid growth, intensity of competition from other providers of products and services, changes in general economic conditions, geopolitical events and regulatory changes and other factors set forth in VivoPower’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. VivoPower is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

Perez-Carlton‘s
experience as former President of FPL FiberNet and Crown Castle advisor will accelerate Blink’s infrastructure expansion plans

Miami Beach, FL , July 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blink Charging Co. (Nasdaq: BLNK, BLNKW) (“Blink” or the “Company”), Blink, a leading owner, operator, and provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment and services, today announced the appointment of Carmen Perez-Carlton to its Board of Directors. Ms. Perez-Carlton will also chair the Company’s newly established Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Committee.

Ms. Perez-Carlton was President of FPL FiberNet, LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc. until it was acquired by Crown Castle, Inc. in 2017. She then served as an independent advisor to Crown Castle, providing input and strategic guidance on matters related to mergers and acquisitions, strategy and business development opportunities. Leading up to her tenure as president, Ms. Perez-Carlton served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Director of Finance and Accounting at FiberNet. Prior to FiberNet, she held senior management roles for Florida Power & Light, Co. Prior to joining FPL she was an audit manager at Deloitte serving large clients. In addition to her experience as an executive and board member for publicly-traded companies, Ms. Perez-Carlton has also served on multiple non-profit organization’s boards. She has been recognized by Capacity Media as one of the top women in the telecommunications industry.

Ms. Perez-Carlton is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Uniti Group Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on the acquisition, construction and operation of mission-critical communications infrastructure. She also serves as a member and a financial expert of Uniti’s Audit Committee and as a member of Uniti’s Governance Committee.

“We are excited to announce Carmen’s addition to our Board of Directors” stated Michael D. Farkas, Founder Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Blink Charging. “She brings many years of senior executive experience, including leadership roles in operations, finance, sales and marketing. We are confident that she’s ideally suited to provide advice and guidance as Blink continues to grow and evolve as an innovator and leader in EV infrastructure. As chair of our newly formed Environmental, Social and Governance Committee she will be at the forefront of our Company’s development in these important areas and we look forward to her contributions.”

Carmen Perez-Carlton commented, “I’m extremely excited to be joining Blink Charging’s Board of Directors. As a well-established leader in the EV charging industry, Blink is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the tremendous and growing marketplace interest and support of the EV industry. I look forward to offering my perspective and ideas to assist the Company’s strategic growth and am especially excited for the opportunity to help further the development of Blink’s ESG efforts moving forward.”

###

ABOUT BLINK CHARGING

Blink Charging Co. (Nasdaq: BLNK, BLNKW) is a leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment and has deployed over 30,000 charging ports across 13 countries, many of which are networked EV charging stations, enabling EV drivers to easily charge at any of the Company’s charging locations worldwide. Blink Charging’s principal line of products and services include its Blink EV charging network (“Blink Network”), EV charging equipment, and EV charging services. The Blink Network uses proprietary, cloud-based software that operates, maintains, and tracks the EV charging stations connected to the network and the associated charging data. With global EV purchases forecasted to rise to 10 million by 2025 from approximately 2 million in 2019, the Company has established key strategic partnerships for rolling out adoption across numerous location types, including parking facilities, multifamily residences and condos, workplace locations, health care/medical facilities, schools and universities, airports, auto dealers, hotels, mixed-use municipal locations, parks and recreation areas, religious institutions, restaurants, retailers, stadiums, supermarkets, and transportation hubs. For more information, please visit https://www.blinkcharging.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements, along with terms such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and other comparable terms, involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief, or current expectations of Blink Charging and members of its management, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including those described in Blink Charging’s periodic reports filed with the SEC, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Except as required by federal securities law, Blink Charging undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed conditions. 

Blink Media Contact 

[email protected]

Blink Investor Relations Contact 

[email protected]

855-313-8187

BEIJING, July 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Datasea Inc. (NASDAQ: DTSS) (“Datasea”), a technology company engaged in providing smart security solutions, smart hardware and education-related technologies in China, announced today that it has entered into definitive agreements with certain institutional investors for a registered direct offering of securities with gross proceeds of $8,480,425.92, before payment of commissions and expenses. The closing of the offering is expected to take place on or about July 22, 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

In connection with the offering, the Company will issue 2,436,904 shares of common stock in a registered offering, at a purchase price of $3.48 per share. Concurrently in a private placement, for each common share purchased by an investor, such investor will receive from the Company 0.45 unregistered warrants to purchase one common share each. The warrants have an exercise price of $4.48 per share, will be exercisable on the date of issuance, and will expire two and one-half years from the date of issuance.

The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate and working capital purposes and repayment of debt.

FT Global Capital, Inc. acted as the exclusive placement agent for the offerings.

The offering of the shares of common stock described above (but not the warrants or the shares of common stock underlying the warrants) is being made pursuant to an effective “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-239183), as amended, that was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and declared effective by the SEC on June 25, 2020. The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. A final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus related to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov. The Warrants being offered in the concurrent private placement, along with the underlying common stock, have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and are being offered and sold pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act contained in Section 4(a)(2) thereof and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

About Datasea Inc.

Datasea is a technology company in China engaged in providing smart security solutions, smart hardware and developing education-related technologies. Datasea leverages its proprietary technologies, intellectual property, innovative products and market intelligence to provide comprehensive and optimized security solutions and education related technologies to its clients. Datasea has been certified as one of the High Tech Enterprises (jointly issued by the Beijing Science and Technology Commission, Beijing Finance Bureau, Beijing State Taxation Bureau and Beijing Local Taxation Bureau) and one of the Zhongguancun High Tech Enterprises (issued by the Zhongguancun Science Park Administrative Committee) in recognition of the company’s achievement in high technology products. For additional company information, please visit: www.dataseainc.com. 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “future”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates”, “target”, “going forward”, “outlook,” “objective” and similar terms. Such statements are based upon management’s current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and which are beyond Datasea’s control, which may cause Datasea’s actual results, performance or achievements (including the RMB/USD value of its anticipated benefit to Datasea as described herein) to differ materially and in an adverse manner from anticipated results contained or implied in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in Datasea’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov. Datasea does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law.

Investor and Media Contact:
International Elite Capital Inc.
Vicky Chueng
Telephone: +1(646) 866-7989
Email: [email protected]

DALLAS, July 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Avantax℠, the pioneer of tax-focused financial planning, is proud to be a Gold Level sponsor of AICPA Engage 2021 at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, from July 26-29. Avantax’s conference presence will be anchored to Booth #225, one of the largest in the Engage 2021 exhibit hall, where several representatives will be available to discuss how Avantax partners with tax and financial professionals to create new revenue opportunities by providing holistic financial services to their clients, all through a uniquely tax-focused lens.

“At AICPA Engage 2021, Avantax will focus on how blending the trust and knowledge possessed by tax professionals with tax-advantaged financial planning services is a powerful, value-creating combination designed to drive growth for accounting firms,” said Avantax Business Development Vice President Tim Stewart. “CPAs and tax-focused financial professionals can find new revenue opportunities and enhance client service by adding the kind of comprehensive financial planning that can only be delivered by marrying clients’ tax situations with their long-term financial plans. We look forward to mapping out this strategy with AICPA Engage 2021 attendees.”

In addition to its exhibit hall presence, Avantax is presenting, “Like Father, Like Son: A Succession Planning Success Story” on Wednesday, July 28, from 12:50 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. PT, in the Pinyon Ballroom on level one. The session will focus on the benefits of tax-smart wealth management and developing a strategy to grow one’s practice while planning for the future. Featuring father-son team Bob Carey, CPA, and Financial Planning Consultant Davin Carey, the session will explain how the Carey family used succession planning to add wealth management services that skyrocketed their business, California-based Carey & Hanna Tax & Wealth Planners, an Avantax-affiliated firm.

In-person attendees are encouraged to visit with Avantax representatives at Booth #225 in the conference exhibit hall. Virtual attendees can visit with Avantax representatives in the conference’s virtual exhibit hall.

For more information about Avantax or to schedule a meeting with Avantax during the Engage 2021 conference, please contact Avantax Marketing at [email protected].

The wealth management segment of Blucora, Inc. (NASDAQ: BCOR), which includes the Avantax Wealth Management and Avantax Planning Partners℠ brands, had a collective $85 billion in total client assets as of March 31, 2021.

About Avantax Wealth Management℠

Avantax Wealth Management℠ offers a tax-advantaged approach for comprehensive financial planning. Avantax’s Tax-Smart approach helps clients leverage taxes to create financial growth opportunities. Most financial companies treat taxes as an afterthought, or not at all, even though taxes are one of life’s most complex and costly expenses. Avantax technology, tax and wealth management insights are used by Avantax Financial Professionals to uncover and tailor opportunities across their clients’ financial lifecycles to help enable better long-term outcomes. The wealth management segment of Blucora, Inc. (NASDAQ: BCOR), which includes the Avantax Wealth Management and Avantax Planning Partners℠ brands, had a collective $85 billion in total client assets as of March 31, 2021. For more information, please visit us at www.avantax.com or at our LinkedIn and Facebook pages.

About Avantax Planning Partners℠

Avantax Planning Partners^SM is a national financial planning and wealth management firm that partners with CPA firms to combine and deliver holistic financial and tax-planning services to their clients. Using the Guidance Planning Strategies planning tool, Avantax Planning Partners visually lays out a long-term plan, considering a wide array of financial decisions and their potential impacts on clients’ financial health. Through this unique and proven approach, Avantax Planning Partners and CPA firms help clients make progress toward their financial goals through strategies such as asset management, estate planning, retirement planning, tax planning, risk management and more.

Media Contact:

Tony Katsulos
Avantax
(972) 870-6654
[email protected]

Investor Contract:

Dee Littrell
Blucora, Inc.
(972) 870-6463
[email protected]